Buddhism & Christianity

this post is created by farah

Since about 75% of American adults identify themselves as Christian and only 0.5% view themselves as Buddhist, it may be useful to compare Buddhism with the U.S.'s dominant religion. We define as "Christian" any person or group who thoughtfully, sincerely, prayerfully regard themselves as Christian. This is the definition that pollsters and the census offices of many countries use. It includes as Christians the full range of faith groups who consider themselves to be Christians, including Assemblies of God members, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists, United Church members, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc. Many Christians have a much less inclusive definition of the term "Christian."

Beliefs not shared: Buddhists do not share most of the core beliefs of historical Christianity and many of the less critical beliefs accepted by some Christians. Buddhism does not teach: An original golden era in the Garden of Eden, and a subsequent fall of humanity. Original sin shared by all present-day humans, derived from Adam and Eve. A world-wide flood in the time of Noah, causing the greatest human genocide in history. The need for a sinless personal savior whose execution enabled individual salvation through atonement. A god-man savior who was born of a virgin, executed, resurrected and ascended to heaven. Salvation achieved: --Through good works (a common liberal Christian belief) or --Specific beliefs (as in repenting of one's sin and trusting Jesus as Lord and savior as taught by   many conservative Protestant faith groups) or --Sacraments (as baptism within the Roman Catholic Church, followed by confession later in life). Eternal life spent in either a heaven or hell after death. Return of a savior to earth at some time in the future. An end of the world as we know it in the near future.